Bleep

London-based multi-hyphenate Joe Armon-Jones has been accumulating a number of soulful releases on his very own Aquarii label since starting it in 2021. With over a year passed since its inception, he is picking up the pace, unveiling a flurry of music projects he’s been diligently working on since the beginning of 2020. Teaming up with legendary dubstep pioneer Mala, who for the past year has steadily dropped an avalanche of remastered singles from his back catalogue, the two join forces calling back to the golden age of dubstep with incredibly organic sonic palettes.

A Way Back comes to life with shifting atmospheres and a deep, engine revving bass on ‘Oh Lord’, featuring additional production from Maxwell Owin. With jagged, domineering keys and snapping drums, it strikes a balance between soft cinematic strings and harder beats, exemplifying the EP’s variety that is represented in the artwork as a communal sound system, a metropolitan meld of sound and colour for people from all walks of life to enjoy.

The dub reggae influences of both artists shine on ‘What It Is’, with a melting pot of instruments and styles manifested in dextrous piano playing, jazzy interceptions, and vast, glacial snare hits. ‘The Truth’ brings a more downtempo vibe, elements of neo soul ringing throughout its breezy attitude and smooth, molten bassline. The woozy ‘All Ways’ quakes and bites, and gusts of light, airy saxophones make the title track a hazy dub anthem, with a classic bass wobble and drums that skip like stones over water.

Joe Armon-Jones and Mala fuse their talents on A Way Back, celebrating contemporary jazz and dubstep with a diverse mix of sounds and styles.